Excellence in Youth

The Excellence in Youth (EY) Program at Westside Community Schools provides expanded learning opportunities for students with high ability, in addition to fostering and encouraging talent development in all students.

The 6th grade honors pre-algebra students recently competed in the Math League Press contest. The team of Whitney Leach, Jasper Whitcher-Smith, Maxfield Vanourney, Max Gordon, and Luke Becker placed 2nd out of 13 teams. These students were also among the top scorers individually out of 42 individual students.

The EY Team would like to congratulate all the participants, finalists, and those who placed in the recent IAC online & in person regional events. Way to go Warriors!

Check out this video for results!

Summer is the perfect time to discover and explore your passion! What do you want to learn more about? What do you want to get better at? Now is the chance! Check out some great area summer camps that explore different topics in science, technology, engineering, math, arts, music, etc. There is a class or camp for everyone!

Click below for more information!

At the end of last school year, students had earned 1300 badges. We are already at 1507 for this year and we still have 2.5 months to go! Keep it up!

The Excellence In Youth Team is proud to announce Audree H. and Sloan T. from Hillside, Brock L. from Westgate, Isla C., Harlan S., Isla K., Mallorie B., Harrison B., Leo W., Eden H., Charlie C., Luka Z., Nora K., Ben W., Ayden S. and J H. from Sunset, Krish P., William R., Louie T. and Annil M. from Swanson, Kelli P. from Prairie, and Charlotte B. from Oakdale as the most recent recipients of the Digital Dozen award for the 22-23 school year! This award is presented to students who earn 12 of the digital badges. It takes self-motivation, grit, and determination to earn these badges and Charlie should be proud of this accomplishment!

The Excellence In Youth Team is proud to announce Krish from Swanson who is the most recent recipient of the Digital Dozen award for this school year!

This is the second award for Krish this school year. He has several badge projects started to go towards his third digital dozen!

Congratulations, Krish!

Congratulations, Sammie, for earning your THIRD digital dozen! The EY team applauds you for demonstrating grit and determination to complete 36 badges, a first in the EY badge program history. We hope you continue to keep learning, inspiring other kids and, of course, working on badges.

Every student in Westside has the opportunity to begin earning badges. Working towards earning a badge allows students to dig deep into topics and explore individual interest areas. Badges can be found in various subject and interest areas.

Earn 12 badges to achieve the acclaimed "Digital Dozen" and earn a prize and recognition! Choose from hundreds of badge options on the EY Website or choose one below to get kick started!

Mini Sparks are quick lessons that introduce learners to various topics. Sparks can be found under every subject area on the EY website. These activities require minimal supplies and make for a great family activity!

Almost 70 miles west of Key West lies Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. You can only get there by boat or seaplane! The park is known all over the world as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, beautiful blue waters, lots of coral reefs and marine life, and the tons of bird life that visit the area!

Click the link below to go on a virtual field trip to this amazing place!

Several Westside students recently participated in an online and/or in-person regional event for the International Academic Competitions. Congratulations to the following students!

Congrats to all of our M A T H L E T E S who competed in the local MATHCOUNTS competition last week! Kelvin (WMS 8th Grader) will advance to the STATE competition on March 18! Way to go!

Congratulations to Westside Middle School student, Kelvin Warren, for qualifying and participating in the State MATHCOUNTS Competition last Saturday. Kelvin came in 13th place out of 67 mathletes from around the state. Way to go Kelvin!

The EY program website is the hub of communication for the EY Team. For our K-8 students, monthly challenges, seminars and events, as well as other learning opportunities are posted to the site on a regular basis.

All students are encouraged to participate in the opportunities posted, regardless of whether they have been identified for the EY Program. Students can participate independently by accessing the opportunities at home or during tech time at school. Teachers may also facilitate these whole and small-group enrichment opportunities for students in the classroom.

Click below to check out all our website has to offer!

• Swanson
• Sunset Hills

Email: henningsen.jennifer@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @JHenningsen

• Hillside
• Oakdale
• Rockbrook

Email: sindt.katherine@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @ksindt1972

• Paddock Road
• Westgate
• Westside Middle School
• Math 7 Honors Coordinator

Email: spady.lynn@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @LynnSpady

• Loveland
• Prairie Lane
• Westbrook

Email: thompson.megan@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @MegT_Westside